Latest news with #ScholasticBookFair
Los Angeles Times
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Britney, Taylor and Beyoncé defined the 2000s. How they changed pop culture forever
Growing up in a small town in New Hampshire, Nora Princiotti lived two hours away from the nearest mall, so the Scholastic Book Fair was her lifeline to pop culture purchases. In fall 2003, the then-9-year-old made a beeline to the fair and bought gum, glitter gel pens and 'Metamorphosis,' the second studio album from 'Lizzie McGuire' star Hilary Duff. At that time, Duff was 'the single most important person in the world to me outside my immediate family,' Princiotti writes in 'Hit Girls: Britney, Taylor, Beyoncé, and the Women Who Built Pop's Shiniest Decade.' 'This is the first day of the rest of my life.' This proclamation is no exaggeration. Duff's CD was Princiotti's gateway to the vibrant pop music universe of the 2000s — an era that 'Hit Girls' thoroughly examines through the lens of some of the decade's music icons. The chronological book opens with Britney Spears reigniting industry interest in mainstream pop after the roaring success of her snappy debut single, 1998's '…Baby One More Time.' Princiotti subsequently devotes chapters to Rihanna's world-shifting dance music and savvy use of technology; the scrappy (and occasionally bumpy) pop-punk odyssey of Avril Lavigne; and the complicated relationship between indie rock and pop, exemplified by 'American Idol' sweetheart Kelly Clarkson. She also reexamines with a much kinder eye the music of Ashlee Simpson, whose career cratered after she was caught lip-syncing on 'Saturday Night Live,' and then-tabloid fixtures Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton. Princiotti, a staff writer at the Ringer who covers pop music and the NFL and co-hosts the podcast 'Every Single Album,' says she was certain which artists needed to be included in 'Hit Girls.' 'I had the idea a little bit before the Y2K resurgence that we've experienced over the last few years,' she says. 'But it was trickling into the ecosystem. And I had this very clear idea that there are all these disparate segments of the pop star world and the version of that world that existed in the 2000s. … Even though that music is different, it all fit together to me really obviously, because I was the fan.' Princiotti augments her rigorous research with colorful memories from this era, including chatting on AIM (her handle was mangorainbow99), digging up Taylor Swift rarities on YouTube and hearing Lady Gaga's 'Just Dance' at a high school dance. Finding a cohesive story of the 2000s was more challenging. 'The question that I had to answer [in the book] was, 'Other than the audience — and other than having this feeling inside me that a book that covered the rise of Britney Spears also needed to cover 'Rumors' by Lindsay Lohan and also needed to cover Ashlee Simpson, because that's how I lived it — what actually ties these artists together?'' That uniting thread is Spears. The book deftly traces the parallels between the evolution of Spears' career and how the decade itself unfolded — from the way her music broadened beyond teen pop (e.g. the electro-disco 'Toxic') to the negative impact the intense tabloid scrutiny had on her mental health. 'She is the artist of the 2000s,' Princiotti says. 'If you think of the aughts as a whole, it starts with Britney, [and] she manages to keep it going. There's so many things that I think just come back to that one woman.' Princiotti also concludes that the female pop stars of the 2000s helped legitimize pop music. 'There's something about what all of these women — because it is women in the book — did to chip away at the idea that pop is disposable and unserious music, that somehow got us to this place where it is more often recognized as a serious art form, something that moves culture [and] is worthy of real, deep criticism,' she says. 'You're seeing every day where there are thesis-driven projects about Taylor Swift and the music of Taylor Swift, and [people asking,] 'What does she mean to society?' and 'What does she mean to culture? The thing that struck me was, 'Oh, we didn't have that. It wasn't like that — and now it is.'' Given the book's narrow time frame — 'Hit Girls' starts just before Y2K and ends in the early 2010s — the book also takes a different spin on the careers of Swift and fellow superstar Beyoncé. The latter was newly emerging as a solo artist with 2003's 'Dangerously in Love' after breaking through with Destiny's Child. Princiotti argues that Beyoncé's success on the pop charts opened doors for hip-hop and R&B artists, which had a seismic impact on culture as a whole. Although these genres had started making massive inroads into the pop charts and mainstream music starting in the late 1990s, Princiotti observed in her research that magazine and tabloid covers still largely prioritized white artists. 'While there was a clear relationship between the interest in an artist like Britney Spears's life and the interest in her music, that feedback loop did not exist for a lot of Black artists,' she writes. 'Which meant that hip-hop could dominate popular music while being shut out of the elite celebrity spaces that promote true pop stardom.' Swift, meanwhile, was an earnest country-pop wunderkind building her fan base one MySpace comment at a time — and even then happened to be a genius at understanding the psychology of fandom and the online habits of her followers. 'I came away with an appreciation of just how early in her career she laid the blueprint of how she would develop her fan base,' Princiotti says. 'When it's all said and done, we will look back at her artistic legacy, yes, as the songwriter of a generation, yes, as the poet laureate of young women.' 'But I do think that the legacy of Taylor Swift is going to start with the communities of people that she brought together within her fan base — and how powerful and sometimes scary and how mobilized that fan community has become, and how she built it to be that way.' As with Swift, many of the artists in 'Hit Girls' remain popular today. Lavigne and Beyoncé are currently on major tours; Clarkson has found success with her daytime talk show; Rihanna is a billionaire business mogul thanks to her brands Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty. And Duff, who now has four kids, starred in the TV show 'Younger' and, most recently, the short-lived 'How I Met Your Father.' Near the end of 'Hit Girls,' Princiotti explores the ongoing influence of these artists and this decade — from the current crop of young pop stars led by Olivia Rodrigo and nostalgia festivals like When We Were Young to fashion trends such as dark denim, 'going-out' tops and butterfly hair clips. Princiotti herself maintains a love of pop stars and offers solid theories about why this specific era remains such a fascination: a heady mix of nostalgia, second chances and perspective. 'For people like me who lived through at least some of it, it's the ability to go back a little bit older and wiser,' she says. 'We can take the best of it and then reexamine the worst of it with more open eyes. And there's something to me that's very satisfying about that.'
Buzz Feed
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Goosebumps 90s Trivia Quiz
If you were a kid from 1990 to 2005, you probably got spooked by a very scary book cover at the supermarket. I don't think I need to be more specific, but if your days of the Scholastic Book Fair are forgotten, I'm talking about R. L. Stine's Goosebumps series. But how well do you remember those iconic covers and titles? Has it been too long for you to remember?
Globe and Mail
14-04-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
3 Reasons SCHL is Risky and 1 Stock to Buy Instead
What a brutal six months it's been for Scholastic. The stock has dropped 40.1% and now trades at a new 52-week low of $16.01, rattling many shareholders. This may have investors wondering how to approach the situation. Is now the time to buy Scholastic, or should you be careful about including it in your portfolio? See what our analysts have to say in our full research report, it's free. Even though the stock has become cheaper, we're cautious about Scholastic. Here are three reasons why SCHL doesn't excite us and a stock we'd rather own. Why Is Scholastic Not Exciting? Creator of the legendary Scholastic Book Fair, Scholastic (NASDAQ:SCHL) is an international company specializing in children's publishing, education, and media services. 1. Long-Term Revenue Growth Flatter Than a Pancake Reviewing a company's long-term sales performance reveals insights into its quality. Even a bad business can shine for one or two quarters, but a top-tier one grows for years. Unfortunately, Scholastic struggled to consistently increase demand as its $1.59 billion of sales for the trailing 12 months was close to its revenue five years ago. This was below our standards and signals it's a lower quality business. 2. Weak Operating Margin Could Cause Trouble Operating margin is an important measure of profitability as it shows the portion of revenue left after accounting for all core expenses – everything from the cost of goods sold to advertising and wages. It's also useful for comparing profitability across companies with different levels of debt and tax rates because it excludes interest and taxes. Scholastic's operating margin has shrunk over the last 12 months and averaged 3% over the last two years. The company's profitability was mediocre for a consumer discretionary business and shows it couldn't pass its higher operating expenses onto its customers. 3. Previous Growth Initiatives Haven't Impressed Growth gives us insight into a company's long-term potential, but how capital-efficient was that growth? Enter ROIC, a metric showing how much operating profit a company generates relative to the money it has raised (debt and equity). Scholastic historically did a mediocre job investing in profitable growth initiatives. Its five-year average ROIC was 4.6%, lower than the typical cost of capital (how much it costs to raise money) for consumer discretionary companies. Final Judgment Scholastic's business quality ultimately falls short of our standards. After the recent drawdown, the stock trades at 9.5× forward price-to-earnings (or $16.01 per share). While this valuation is optically cheap, the potential downside is big given its shaky fundamentals. We're pretty confident there are more exciting stocks to buy at the moment. We'd suggest looking at the most entrenched endpoint security platform on the market. Stocks We Like More Than Scholastic The market surged in 2024 and reached record highs after Donald Trump's presidential victory in November, but questions about new economic policies are adding much uncertainty for 2025. While the crowd speculates what might happen next, we're homing in on the companies that can succeed regardless of the political or macroeconomic environment. Put yourself in the driver's seat and build a durable portfolio by checking out our Top 5 Strong Momentum Stocks for this week. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 175% over the last five years. Stocks that made our list in 2019 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+2,183% between December 2019 and December 2024) as well as under-the-radar businesses like Sterling Infrastructure (+1,096% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today for free.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
1 Value Stock to Target This Week and 2 to Avoid
Value investing has created more billionaires than any other strategy, like Warren Buffett, who built his fortune by purchasing wonderful businesses at reasonable prices. But these hidden gems are few and far between - many stocks that appear cheap often stay that way because they face structural issues. This distinction between true value and value traps can challenge even the most skilled investors. Luckily for you, we started StockStory to help you uncover exceptional companies. That said, here is one value stock trading at a big discount to its intrinsic value and two with little support. Forward P/E Ratio: 10.8x Creator of the legendary Scholastic Book Fair, Scholastic (NASDAQ:SCHL) is an international company specializing in children's publishing, education, and media services. Why Are We Cautious About SCHL? Sales were flat over the last five years, indicating it's failed to expand its business Responsiveness to unforeseen market trends is restricted due to its substandard operating profitability Underwhelming 4.6% return on capital reflects management's difficulties in finding profitable growth opportunities Scholastic's stock price of $19.03 implies a valuation ratio of 10.8x forward price-to-earnings. Check out our free in-depth research report to learn more about why SCHL doesn't pass our bar. Forward P/E Ratio: 5.5x With 19 different brands across the globe, Columbus McKinnon (NASDAQ:CMCO) offers material handling equipment for the construction, manufacturing, and transportation industries. Why Do We Think CMCO Will Underperform? Annual revenue growth of 2.4% over the last two years was below our standards for the industrials sector Performance over the past five years shows its incremental sales were much less profitable, as its earnings per share fell by 1.8% annually Capital intensity has ramped up over the last five years as its free cash flow margin decreased by 12.8 percentage points Columbus McKinnon is trading at $17.93 per share, or 5.5x forward price-to-earnings. Dive into our free research report to see why there are better opportunities than CMCO. Forward P/E Ratio: 12.4x Founded in 1980 as a provider for underserved communities in Southern California, Molina Healthcare (NYSE:MOH) provides managed healthcare services primarily to low-income individuals through Medicaid, Medicare, and Marketplace insurance programs across 21 states. Why Does MOH Stand Out? Impressive 19.3% annual revenue growth over the last five years indicates it's winning market share this cycle Economies of scale give it fixed cost leverage when sales grow as well as negotiating power over membership pricing and reimbursement rates Earnings per share grew by 12.2% annually over the last five years, comfortably beating the peer group average At $323.48 per share, Molina Healthcare trades at 12.4x forward price-to-earnings. Is now the time to initiate a position? Find out in our full research report, it's free. The elections are now behind us. With rates dropping and inflation cooling, many analysts expect a breakout market - and we're zeroing in on the stocks that could benefit immensely. Take advantage of the rebound by checking out our Top 6 Stocks for this week. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 175% over the last five years. Stocks that made our list in 2019 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+2,183% between December 2019 and December 2024) as well as under-the-radar businesses like United Rentals (+322% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today for free. Sign in to access your portfolio
Buzz Feed
08-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
If You Hold A Special Place In Your Heart For Quirky Little Items, Here Are 26 Of Them
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page. Shopping · A "Stanley Cup" candle and a Menstruation Crustacean that your inner silly goose will love. 😍 1. A set of book-shaped sponges so your love of literature can make the task of washing dirty dishes just a little bit less miserable. Food residue better read it and weep! Promising review:"Everything about these sponges is great. The design and printing are very well done, with clear, tasteful colors, and the sponges themselves are quality. I use them in the guest bathroom sink side with the soap dish, and they actually strike your eye with a little pop of pop art — that's how nicely the printing is done. I bought them for me, but they would be a wonderful book club gift." — isecond Get a set of three from Amazon for $10. 2. A magnetic bookmark — a nod to when life was simple, and your main priority was which fancy pens and books you were going to buy at the Scholastic Book Fair. #TakeMeBackkkkk Shop The Whimsy Co / Etsy Shop The Whimsy Co is a small business based in central California and has lots of fun stickers and bookmarks to choose from! Promising review: "I love this bookmark so much! I've tried the small magnetic clip ones, but always ended up losing them. This one is the perfect size and the design is just as pictured. The quality is amazing! Don't hesitate to buy it!!" — Violet Get it from Shop The Whimsy Co on Etsy for $5.10. 3. A dimmable duck night-light that looks derpy in the cutest way possible. Plus, it's touch-activated and has an optional 30-minute timer. I'm literally quacking — I mean quaking — because this is so adorable. Amazon This light doesn't require any batteries — it's rechargeable! It comes with a USB charger. Promising review: "This silly little lamp makes me smile every time I look at it. I bought it as a sort of night-light to light the living room. It is a fun and silly way to make our guests smile without blinding everyone during movie night." — Shelley Hough Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (also available in a dog and a fruit version). 4. A cow-themed cheese holder just ~udderly~ perfect because it acts as storage AND cute fridge decor. This fits your individually wrapped cheese slices, and it's way better than having them in their boring old plastic bag. Each container holds 24 slices of cheese. Promising review:"I had an old Kraft cheese container from decades ago that finally broke and I didn't think I would be able to find a replacement, but this is even better! My kids named it Daisy immediately. It is cute to have in the fridge or even bring out to the dinner table. Great quality and should last a long time." — Karen Get it from Amazon for $9.99 5. A set of cowboy straw toppers because no one really wants to say, "Howdy, partner" 👋🏼🤠 to gross germs as they reach for their water tumbler. Not only does this prevent dust, dirt, and grime from building up in your straw, but it's also darn tootin' cute. Promising review:"So SO CUUUTE! 10/10!! Good product and keeps my straw from getting bugs or germs on it! Plus, it's really cute." — JennA Get a set of four from Amazon for $5.99 (available in four other styles). 6. Some Goldfish-shaped magnets, aka "Holdfish"... How. Freaking. Clever. Whether you use these to hang up your grocery lists or your kid's A+ report card, these are sure to bring a smile to your face. Handy Cute Art / Etsy Note that these may not be a safe choice for homes with kids and pets who may mistake them for the real thing. Handy Cute Art is a Miami-based small business. Get six magnets from Handy Cute Art on Etsy for $10.20 (originally $12). 7. An iconic 3D-printed mini Stanley keychain so you can text your friends that you got yet another Stanley cup, only for them to find out it's a teeny tiny lip balm holder too! The Feliz Co / Etsy The Feliz Co is a New Jersey-based small business run by a husband and wife. Promising review: "This keychain is so cute! I love it. It is very well made and was shipped quickly. Very happy with my purchase and the seller! :)" — Becky Moore Get it from The Feliz Co on Etsy for $21.98+ (available in nine colors and two styles). 8. Or, a fun candle in the shape of none other than a freaking Stanley Cup. Idk how this cup has singlehandedly taken over all aspects of our lives, but I'm here for it. It's got a sandalwood scent and even has the straw to go with it!!! Promising review:"This is an AMAZING product for the money. Not only is it a perfect replica of the Stanley water bottles that are all the rage nowadays, it is expertly packed and smells INCREDIBLE! Top-notch craftsmanship and packed really well to ensure you receive it as shown in the pics I took. I've purchased similar candles from the same vendor before, and they never disappoint…but this one seems to be a fan favorite and we're ordering more to give away at an upcoming party." — Ryan H. Get it from Amazon for $29.99. 9. A cutesie lil' "shaved" sheep plushie to cheer you up if you've had a tough day. You can take off his outer coat just by unzipping him — and the zipper is in the shape of a shearer (how cute)! Promising review: "I love him. He is so cute and so well-made. He is the perfect size and shape. I named him Banana Peel Son since his wool comes off like a banana peel. Adorable. Would recommend to everyone." — Aerebys Stare Get it from Amazon for $9.99. 10. And a set of sheep toilet roll holders that'll adorably stare at you while you go to the baaaaa-throom. Pro Tip: make sure you get the two-ply to make their coats look super plush! Promising review:"A fun and simple way to turn a boring spare toilet roll into a humorous focal bathroom decoration. The roll simply rests on the stand forming the legs, and the sheep's face complete with googly eyes (extra set included) is inserted into the roll's end. Well made, sturdy, and good value for money!" — Lesly British Voiceover Get a three-pack from Amazon for $19.99 (also available individually). 11. A"Gracula" garlic crusher, which does a FANGtastic job at doing the annoying, tedious job of crushing up garlic cloves. All you have to do is insert the cloves, twist, and you're done. Whoever created this little gadget is a bloody genius! Promising review: "I love this little guy. I found him on a BuzzFeed list and had to have it as soon as I saw it! I've minced as many as five cloves in it in seconds. It's a little tricky getting all of the garlic out once minced (I use a silicone basting brush to get most of it but I always use more than the recipe calls for anyway so it's not a deal breaker). Cleanup is a breeze because he goes right in the dishwasher!" — Barbie Get it from Amazon for $18.99. 12. A car mirror swinging duck accessory to remind you that you're just a silly lil' goose if you accidentally get a little too close to the curb when parallel parking. Plus, it'll make you smile every time you get in the car at 7:30 a.m. (😣) for work. Amazon Promising review:"Saw it one day when I was just browsing. That's usually dangerous I know. It's actually heavier than I thought it was going to be, in a good way though. It's not cheaply made. I've gotten a few laughs from people in other vehicles. Only side effect is if you get upset at other drivers it isn't very intimidating when you're giving the mad stare. LOL. I was pleased with the purchase in all." — Charles Ramsey Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in 15 other animals). 13. A collapsible magic mushroom funnel so you can fulfill your love of the little fairy garden aesthetic while also refilling on essential kitchen products like coffee syrups, olive oil, and whatever your whimsical heart desires. Amazon Promising review: "I am obsessed with this funnel!!! I juice a lot of citrus and juices for cocktails, and this little guy is the perfect size for bottling. It's beyond cute and really great quality. I'm always hesitant about buying silicone items, as I don't want them to be too thin. This is perfect! Sturdy and cute! Can't get better than that! The perfect addition to any cottagecore kitchen!" — Abbey Klem Get it from Amazon for $13.95+ (available in two sizes). 14. A set of french fry clips because you get really ~salty~ when someone forgets to seal the family-size bag of chips that you just bought. These come with a magnetic fry carton for storing and look great as unique kitchen decor. Promising review: "These are very cute, and I love the magnet holder that sticks on my fridge so they are easily accessible. Not sure about the durability, haven't used very long." — Save the Bees Get a set of 12 clips from Amazon for $14.90. 15. Some fuzzy hand towels shaped like hedgehogs your guests will definitely ~point~ out when they come to visit because these are just too adorable. Plus, they're made from absorbent microfiber chenille, so they'll dry your hands in no time! Amazon Promising review: "Not only do these towels effectively dry your hands, they add a touch of whimsy to your decor. They are great for small bathrooms with limited space." — Lisa Naegele Get a set of two from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in five colors). 16. A Michael Scott/Prison Mike reversible dishwasher magnet to let you know if you're safe to eat off those dishes or not. The amount of times you've drunk out of a dirty coffee mug is a CRIME, so let's never do that again. Promising review: "My whole family is a fan of The Office, so when I was searching for a magnet we could use on our dishwasher, this was the hands-down winner. Does it go with my farmhouse decor? Nope, not at all. But it does get the attention of two teenage boys. Had I gone with something a bit more my decor style, I can guarantee you it would not be as useful. I mean, we all would much rather see Prison Mike staring back at us than suit and tie Michael Scott, right? And there is only one way for that to out the dishwasher!" — R. Funk Get it from Amazon for $8.99. 17. A Buddy the Dog spoon and spatula holder because you need a helping hand in the kitchen that won't constantly stare at you and insist on being paid the cheese tax while you're cooking up your homemade pasta. Plus, this little pup is heat resistant! Promising review:"Most adorable spoon holder ever! I have a griddle in the middle of my stove, needed a holder that wasn't my counter. This is super cute, easy to clean, and unique!" — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $9.95+ (available in a two-pack). 18. A martini claw clip to leave your friends shaken, not stirred, when they see you come to the party with this super fun hair accessory. Jenny Lemons Promising review: "A dirty martini is my go-to drink order so had to get one of these. I was afraid the shape might make it not the most functional clip but it's great! Held my hair up all night with no slipping :) This is the favorite in my clip collection!" — Sara C. Get it from Jenny Lemons for $20. 19. An insulated penguin water bottle so stinkin' cute that you'll have to stay hydrated because you'll want to take this little guy with you everywhere you go. The stainless-steel bottle keeps drinks hot for 8 hours and cold for 12 hours, making it great for all your adventures! Amazon Promising review: "This is my new favorite travel companion! This adorable tumbler doesn't just win in looks; it keeps my beverages at the perfect temperature for hours. Whether it's tea, water, or coffee, it stays hot or cold, just the way I like it. The stainless steel build gives it a sturdy feel, and the penguin design adds a cute touch that always brings a smile to my face. A delightful and practical choice for anyone who wants their drinks to stay cozy on the go!" — Sabina Zhaxybek Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in four colors). 20. A convenient lil' condiment fork because you're tired of going finger-deep into the pickle jar to retrieve your favorite snack. Just place the silicone band holder around the jar, and your problem will be solved! Check out a TikTok of the condiment fork in action. Promising review:"Great kitchen item. Forks are great to get pickles out of the jar, but if you have kids/lazy people (lol) you know that dirty hands are going into that jar. 😉 This has really prevented that from happening. It comes with two different rings to fit whatever size jar, a stabber holder, and a stabbing stick." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $8.99. 21. A set of snail tea bag holders so that little paper tag doesn't dive right into your freshly brewed tea and so that you won't have to dip your fingers into said hot tea to fish it out. Promising review: "These are a bonafide delight, they hold a tea bag and keep curious cats from drinking my water. They're a fun gift that holds up well, I'm writing this review two or three years after purchase and they're still here, so they're definitely durable. They look cute, the colors are bright, and they function as described! Very pleased would order again :)" — Kindle Customer Get the 10 pack from Amazon for $6.99. 22. A gnome dishwashing brush because if there's anything about people who love gnomes, it's that they want gnome evvverryythiingggg. I mean, go big or go gnome, right? Plus, the sturdy beard bristles are perfect for scrubbing those stubborn dirty dishes clean! Promising review: "This scrub brush is absolutely adorable! He looks so cute in my kitchen. It's a great size that fits well in my and cleans the dishes well." — LL Ham Get it from Amazon for $14.95. 23. A pair of dangly cow abduction earrings that you'll be ~over the moon~ for when everyone compliments how pretty they are, only to find that they are just as silly as they are cute! Blooblee Jewelry Blooblee Jewelry is a woman-owned, small business based in Atlanta, Georgia and each piece is made to order! Promising review: "Super cute item! Perfect for making people do a double take and making them smile. 😊" — Ela Get them from Blooblee Jewelry on Etsy for $37.50+ (originally $50+; available in three colors). 24. A pair of silicone bowtie pasta pot holders that give your hand-me-down over mitts a run for their money. Not only are these super cute, they're super easy to clean because they can be thrown in the dishwasher! Promising review: "I find these hilarious and easily the best kitchen gadget I've spent my money on! They're super handy for getting stuff out of the oven, and I feel less likely to drop a dish than when I use traditional hot pads/oven mitts with padding. Very grippy, thick enough that heat doesn't transfer through, and again, hilarious." — Hannah B Get them from Amazon for $16.90 (also available in a three-pack). 25. A Menstruation Crustacean heating pad helpful for when your body makes you a little bit ~crabbier~ than normal (iykyk). You can pop this in the microwave to warm up, and it even smells like lavender to give you extra soothing relief. Promising review: "I started using it this weekend, my daughter named him my boo-boo buddy, and I have had him on my abdomen all evening. It makes me feel so much better, and my daughter thinks it's so cute and fun that I have a stuffed animal that helps me feel better." — Jessie J. Get it from Amazon for $19.98+ (available in four styles). 26. A little goose pond ashtray for all your outdoorsy/garden activities that you like to partake in (😉🍃). And if that's not your vibe, then you can use it as a little jewelry dish! Urban Outfitters Promising review: "Super adorable design. I ended up using it as a trinket dish to hold small jewelry instead of an ashtray. I can't stop showing it off to people because the design is so cute :)" — yupitsme
